It’s Okay, I’m attractive

By Anne Macais

No need to worry, I’m here now.
I realize you may have had some concerns before as to whether I should be given my way, but please, let me set your mind at ease about all that: I’m attractive. Matter resolved. And furthermore, as you can all clearly see, I’m very pretty and have appealing features, so everything is going to be all right.
Don’t fret. My physical appearance is beautiful to look at.
No prob—I’m hot. It’s natural to question why I should be promoted, admitted to the club, given that expensive necklace, allowed to use your car whenever I want, and able to expect that someone else will always pick up the check, but that’s all settled now because I’m beautiful. And since I am advantaged, physically, there’s no reason I shouldn’t be given free rein to do what I will in this, or any other, situation. I’m sexy. That ought to take care of any adversity, trouble, or potential slight inconvenience, to me, that might come up.

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The career of the late South African legend Miriam Makeba

Makeba sings famous swahili song Malaika

Lyrics and English translation of “Malaika”:

Malaika, nakupenda Malaika
Malaika, nakupenda Malaika
Nami nifanyeje, kijana mwenzio
Nashindwa na mali sina we
Ningekuoa Malaika
Nashindwa na mali sina we
Ningekuoa Malaika

Pesa zasumbua roho yangu
Pesa zasumbua roho yangu
Nami nifanyeje, kijana mwenzio
Ningekuoa Malaika
Nashindwa na mali sina we
Ningekuoa Malaika

Kidege hukuwaza kidege
Kidege hukuwaza kidege
Nami nifanyeje, kijana mwenzio
Nashindwa na mali sina we
Ningekuoa Malaika
Nashindwa na mali sina we
Ningekuoa Malaika

Angel, I love you my angel
Angel, I love you my angel
What can I do, my love
I don’t have any money
I would have married you my angel
I don’t have any money
I would have married you my angel

Money is troubling my heart
Money is troubling my heart
What can I do, my love
I can’t take care of you
I would have married you my angel
I don’t have any money
I would have married you my angel

Little bird, I dream about you little bird
Little bird, I dream about you little bird
What can I do, my angel
I don’t have any money
I would have married you my angel
I don’t have any money
I would have married you my angel

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Obama Signs Equal Pay Bill

by Brian Montopoli

Barack Obama today signed the first bill of his presidency, a piece of legislation known as the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act that makes it easier for workers to sue after discovering what they believe to be pay discrimination.
Lilly Ledbetter, an Alabama Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. worker, speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009, on the ‘Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.’ (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
In signing the bill, Mr. Obama said that it sends the message “that there are no second class citizens in our workplaces, and that it’s not just unfair and illegal — but bad for business — to pay someone less because of their gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion or disability.”
The legislation is named after Ledbetter, 70, who worked at Goodyear Tire & Rubber in Alabama for nearly 20 years before discovering that she was being paid less than men who were doing the same job. She became the face of workplace discrimination during Mr. Obama’s presidential campaign, speaking at the Democratic National Convention and appearing in commercials for the then-Illinois senator.

The legislation, which Congress passed on Tuesday, effectively overturns a two-year-old, 5-4 Supreme Court decision that found that Ledbetter did not have grounds to sue because she did not discover the alleged pay discrimination within six months of it first taking place.
The bill signed by Mr. Obama today changes the rules so that Ledbetter and workers like her can sue within six months of discovering the alleged pay discrimination, regardless of when it began.
The Bush White House and Senate Republicans had previously blocked efforts to bring forth such legislation, which they suggested could encourage lawsuits.
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The Future of Gaza – An Interview with Jimmy Carter

By RIZ KHAN

RIZ KHAN (Al Jazeera): Hello and welcome. Could Hamas be a key to peace between the Israelis and Palestinians? In spite of the U.S. condemning the democratically elected organization as terrorists and Israel launching a prolonged military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, there are those who feel there cannot be a solution without Hamas in peace talks. The argument for dialogue gains weight with the backing of a former U.S. president who’s been willing to take on the critics and controversy as he continues to staunchly campaign for peace in the region. In his book, “We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land: A Plan That Will Work,” former President Jimmy Carter argues that, despite the recent violence between Israel and Hamas, the conditions are right for a peace deal.
Well, for more than 30 years, Jimmy Carter has worked on building peace in the Middle East. The 1978 Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel paved the way for later agreements with Jordan and the Palestinians. So as a new U.S. president takes on the challenge of finding a resolution, what advice does President Carter offer, will it be received willingly and why is he hopeful now, when the two sides seem further apart than ever? President Carter, it’s an honor to speak with you again.
Read entire interview here
or see it below:

Girl Child Marriage In Madhya Pradesh – Impedes Child Rights

By Seema Jain

“Choti Si Umar Parnai Re Babo Sa, Kario Tharoo Kain Main Kusoor.” These lines from a song sung during marriages put forth the agony of a child’s heart undergoing a marriage ceremony that as to why was she being married off at such a tender age. Child marriage is one of the worst forms of denials of child rights.
Child marriage, involves either one or both spouses being children. The problem of child marriage in Madhya Pradesh is a complex one because it is related with traditional and religious practices. Compared to boys, girls are severely affected due to this practice of child marriage, due to social & physiological factor.
Madhya Pradesh has large number of teen aged mothers who is suffering with unnameable miseries entailed by the customs of early marriage. This wicked practice of child marriage has destroyed the happiness of children’s life. Child marriages continue to be a fairly widespread social evil in Madhya Pradesh, despite a law banning it. The DLHS-3 recorded that 40.5% of boys are married below the age of 21 years and 29.2% of girls aged below 18 were married. The scenario of rural parts in the state is nastiest where about 58.5% women aged 20-24 years got married by the time they are 18 years old.

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